Scholarship Fundraiser

My name is Patricia Vazquez Topete and I am training to compete in my first Ironman 70.3 Hawaii on June 1, 2024. As a high school student, I grew up in a low-income household with limited access to resources. When I was 16 and 17 years old as a high school student I competed in triathlons across Fresno County. I was able to have access to the sport through Coach Brandon Dorman's commitment to fundraising for our Tri-This triathlon club at McLane High School. Mr. Dorman made sure that my teammates and I had access to triathlon bikes, could purchase uniforms, and able to pay for triathlon race fees. It was not until I got older that I realized that competing in a triathlon was an expensive sport and not an affordable and accessible sport for low-income students like myself.

Fast forward almost 15 years, I have become a Vice President in the banking industry and I have decided to sign up for my first Ironman to show students that as a DACA recipient, an undocumented student all throughout college, and a Mexican immigrant from Tamaulipas Mexico we are represented in the sport. I am competing in this Ironman as a way to show the youth what is possible! I want to also highlight the importance of having access to sports and after-school programs. As an undocumented student, I faced a lot of financial challenges to attend college and competing in triathlons strengthened my outlook while facing the challenges that came with securing scholarships and funding to attend a four-year college.

Leading up to my race on June 1, 2024, my goal is to fundraise 3 $1,000 scholarships for high school seniors at McLane, Fresno High School and Roosevelt High School who will each be attending a community college and/or a four-year university in the Spring of 2025.

Join me in this journey by following me on IG @myfirst70.3 and by donating any possible amount you can contribute towards my $3,000 goal. I will be running a total of 70.3 miles, and I encourage you to donate $70.3 as a scholarship sponsor towards my race. Together we can provide 3 $1,000 to three high school seniors in Fresno county.